In a groundbreaking move for marine conservation, the Philippines has established Southeast Asia’s first Coral Larvae Cryobank, marking a major step toward preserving coral biodiversity amid rising threats from climate change and pollution.
Developed through collaboration between scientific institutions from the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, the cryobank uses advanced cryopreservation techniques to freeze coral larvae at –196°C in liquid nitrogen. This allows scientists to store and later revive coral species for reef restoration and research — a vital innovation for protecting the planet’s most diverse marine ecosystems.
The Coral Larvae Cryobank focuses on the Coral Triangle, a region known as the “Amazon of the Seas,” home to over 75% of the world’s coral species and one-third of global reef fish populations. With 14% of the world’s corals lost between 2009 and 2018, this initiative offers a lifeline for endangered reef systems and coastal communities dependent on them.
